By Four-times Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen will compete in a special kart race next month against 100 competitors of varying abilities.
This promoted several readers to recall the times another multiple champion, Michael Schumacher, returned to his karting roots in 2001 – while he was still racing in Formula 1 – and in 2009:
Schumacher did a round of the karting world champs in 2001. He was was mid-grid pace for most of the weekend, until it rained (and thus had somewhat home track knowledge advantage) and he got a podium in the second final. Lewis Hamilton was racing, but was similarly kinda off the pace. 2001 wasn’t his best season, but it is FSA and was the top echelon of karting back then. It is crazy thinking back he did this considering his position at Ferrari at the time, you have to give him so much respect to be that brave.
Schumacher also did the SKUSA Supernats in 2009. I was there in the middle of the circuit reporting. He was there with Buemi and Piquet Jnr. They were all spanked though by the top guys. Bas Lammers was next level good (a deaf racer for those who don’t know). Schumacher had a respectable finish in the final with a few retirements ahead. He had a good dual with Ron White. They were going proper toe-to-toe.
Alan Dove
Read more on Schumacher’s karting returns:
When Hamilton raced Schumacher
Hamilton recalls 2001 kart race against Schumacher
Michael Schumacher beats Buemi and Piquet in kart race (Pictures & video)
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